Small, delicate and beautifully presented, these petite sardines capture the character of the Mediterranean in a wonderfully simple tin. Made with fresh sardines rather than frozen fish, they have a soft, tender texture, a clean savoury flavour and a lovely natural sheen, with the olive oil adding richness without overwhelming the fish.
 
Enjoy them simply on crusty bread with ripe tomato and a little sea salt, or add them to salads, pasta or a traditional Spanish-style grazing plate. They’re particularly good with grilled vegetables, olives and a squeeze of lemon. A crisp Albariño is an excellent pairing; alternatively, try an Australian Vermentino from the Hunter Valley.
 
About L’Escala / Anxoves de l’Escala
L’Escala, on Catalonia’s Costa Brava, has an anchovy tradition stretching back centuries, with the town’s reputation built around the careful salting and preservation of Mediterranean blue fish. The tradition is so closely tied to the town that local records from the 18th century already describe L’Escala as an established centre for anchovy fishing and trade.
 
Anxoves de l’Escala – M. Sureda has been specialising in preserved fish since 1940, using traditional knowledge passed down through generations. Their anchovies are selected carefully and matured naturally before being cleaned and prepared by hand, while the company’s modern facilities allow that traditional craftsmanship to continue at a larger scale. The business also pays particular attention to the role of the local Dones Anxoveres; the women of L’Escala who have traditionally been responsible for the delicate work of preparing, filleting and packing the anchovies.